Obama launches presidential bid

[Square Ball]

Democratic Senator Barack Obama has launched his presidential campaign with a speech in which he pledged to "build a more hopeful America".
He began his official campaign with a call for the Iraq war to end, saying US troops must withdraw by March 2008.

Mr Obama, 45, is considered by many to be the first African-American candidate with a realistic chance of winning.

He, along with Senator Hillary Clinton, is leading the race for the Democratic Party's nomination for the 2008 vote.

A large crowd of supporters braved the sub-zero temperatures in Springfield, Illinois to watch Mr Obama make his announcement.

  In the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a divided house to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for president of the United States

Barack Obama


Profile: Barack Obama 
He spoke to the crowd of his working life in the state over the last 20 years, first as a community worker, then as a civil rights lawyer and finally as a US senator.

He said it was the lessons learnt watching the daily struggles many faced that had ignited in him a desire for change.

"That is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a divided house to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for president of the United States," Mr Obama said.

Changing politics

As he made the announcement the crowd cheered and chanted his name.

But having served just one term as a senator and with no experience of executive office, many have questioned whether Mr Obama's skills match his ambition.

As he declared his candidacy Mr Obama acknowledged that fact saying:

 


2008 main contenders 
"I recognise that there is a certain presumptuousness in this, a certain audacity to this announcement. I know that I have not spent a long time learning the ways of Washington, but I have been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington have to change."

Mr Obama said the first priority was ending the conflict in Iraq.

"America, it's time to start bringing our troops home," he said. "It's time to admit that no amount of American lives can resolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart of someone else's civil war."

Mr Obama was elected to the US Senate after Congress voted to support President George W Bush in his decision to go to war in Iraq, but in 2002 made a speech opposing the conflict.

He went on to criticise the current administration for what he called a failure of leadership to address issues like America's dependence on oil and a failing educational system.

Race issue

Mr Obama burst on to the national scene in July 2004 when he delivered a stirring keynote speech at the Democratic party convention.

His declaration that there was no white or black America, but a United States of America helped him win a seat in the Senate that year and subsequently set him on a fast track to vie for the White House.

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Senator Barack Obama could help the US to win world support.

V Siva, Toronto


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Time magazine has dubbed Mr Obama "America's hottest political phenomenon" and US chat show host Oprah Winfrey urged him to announce his candidacy on her programme.

But instead he chose to launch his presidential campaign on the very spot where Abraham Lincoln once denounced the divisions caused by slavery.

However, unlike previous black presidential candidates, Mr Obama was not part of the civil rights movement, which correspondents say makes some African-Americans wary of him.

His mixed race heritage - with a white mother from Kansas, and a black father from Kenya - has led some observers to suggest that he is an African and an American, but not an African-American.  

Though undoubtedly ambitious and charismatic, with relatively little national experience and formidable opponents, including Mrs Clinton, many question whether he can really secure the Democratic nomination, and whether he has the depth of policy to match.

Mr Obama has tried to answer critics in recent weeks, introducing a bill that calls for the phased redeployment of US troops from Iraq.


This could be a very interesting race, it may all depend on the running mates and has the potential to one hellofa campaign, race gender and ex presidents all to the fore

[GalwayBayBoy]

He's no David Palmer.

[Bogball XV]

His mixed race heritage - with a white mother from Kansas, and a black father from Kenya - has led some observers to suggest that he is an African and an American, but not an African-American.  

In fairness that changes things completely - he's no more 'african american' than me (and I'm not).  It depends on his background in Kenya, but I'd be guessing he was part of the upper class elite - i have several Kenyans over the years and they would regale me with tales of how Kenya was very unsafe etc, so much so that the guards outside their homes would carry Uzi's!!  They would also have a large no. of servants, but, the kids invariably leave because in fairness, who wants to stay somewhere where you need guards with Uzi's guarding the house. 
What I'm really trying to say here, is that very possibly the only thing Obama has in common with 'african-americans' is his skin colour.  That's not to say I don't rate him, as the little I know about Osama (as fox news called him recently, in an, er, error ) does seem pretty impressive, maybe a joint ticket with himself and Hilary would be the ideal, although somehow, I don't think America is quite ready for that just yet!!

[Square Ball]

For our Americam posters

what the craic with Obama?has he any support from middle America? what about Hillary and is she trying to tap into her husbanbs old supporters, well without all the funny ones

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Hope Hillary gets the ticket and wins.

[Lecale2]

Hilary may have brains but she comes across as very wooden on television. US voters aren't well known for voting for the smartest canidate. I can't see her or Obama winning the nomination never mind the election. When do the primaries begin?

[thejuice]

I'd like to see Obama win. He has a humanity that I havent heard in a presidential candidate ever. I think he'll be good for America and the world at large

[dubinhell]

With the same corporate masters pulling the strings, what does it matter who gets elected ? 

[Kerry Mike]

With Brian Cowan in line for Bertie's throne and Obama stepping up to replace Bush, those fecking Biffos are about to launch a global coup.

Be warned, be afraid, Tá na Biffarai ag teacht.

[AZOffaly]

Buwahahaha

[Tony Baloney]

In an interview in The Times yesterday the bloke that played President Palmer reckoned it was him paved the way for Obama to run for president as in 24 he was judged on his decisions and morals rather than his colour. I'm sure Obama is grateful...

[the colonel]

In an interview in The Times yesterday the bloke that played President Palmer reckoned it was him paved the way for Obama to run for president as in 24 he was judged on his decisions and morals rather than his colour. I'm sure Obama is grateful... 

sure he saved the US after he resigned as president, then saved logans administration until palmer unforunately got the line. best president ever, he was a martyr

[stew]

Obama will never get elected, I fear that  the American version of Thatcher will get elected and that is a scary thought, Hilary is as likeable as Thatcher but there is a lot of support for a woman president and I have no doubt that it will be a Democrat in the oval office, Bush has sen to that.

[Square Ball]

so he has the nomination and a running mate...I listened to parts of his speech and he comes across as a very good orator, seemed to hit all the right notes with the American voters, children, education, financial and personal security, veterans (there were others), and ended with the... and God bless the United States of America.

Now, will he be elected? what sort of white supremacy crackpots are out there at the minute who will do not want a Black President?

[Shamrock Shore]

Am I the only one that thinks the Irish Meeja spends too much time on American politics?

I couldn't have cared less about the Denver shennanigans but yet I was force fed it by ARR-T-E (that's another bug bear. Why do RTE presented announce the 'R' as 'AAAAAR' aka Long John Silver 'ARR me Hearties) and even Newstalk 106 sent over George Hook to give me a 'live' pain in the hole.

Sure, the American President has an impact on all our lives one way or another but I'll tune in on Nov 5 thank you very much so leave me alone until then. Knowing the issues has no bearing on me as I don't have a vote.